Maxum 1750sr vs Larson 180 sei

[SamuelP63]

Good afternoon folks,

I am looking at purchasing two boats. Both are equipped with the 3.0 Mercruiser. The boat will be used for cruising for my wife and I. No kids, and we are kind of antisocial so we are not looking for anymore than the 3.0.

The first is a 2003 Maxum 1750sr. This boat will need the outdrive replaced. I could probably get it for $4000. Nada shows it work between $4700 and $5300. I can do the work myself to repair. The interior is about 70%, motor 70%. 220 hours.

The second is a 2003 Larson 180 sei. This boat is spotless. NADA shows it worth between $6200 and $6600. I can probably get it for about $6300. No hour meter.

First off, why is the Larson worth more when it is considered a lower tier boat than the Maxum.

The only real benefit to the Larson for us is the rear pad for the wife to lay out.

Any thoughts?

Thank you,
Sam

 

[keith2k455]

I'd take the running boat. Anything needing an out drive replaced at 220 hrs I would run from.

 

[SamuelP63]

I'd take the running boat. Anything needing an out drive replaced at 220 hrs I would run from.

I should have went into detail.

The boat belongs to my mother. She busted a hole in the lower unit, probably loading it, and ran the boat without noticing the hole. It seized up in the middle of the lake the next trip out.

 

[Maclin]

I thought the Larson would be the higher tier of those 2?

 

[alldodge]

Hi ya Samuel
Here is the post about your Mom's boat
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-mercruiser-left-me-in-the-middle-of-the-lake

Maxum for 4K and you need to install a new sei drive for 1.5K and maybe another .2K just because = 5.7K and you have a new drive
Larson for 6.3K and you don't know what else may happen, and old drive

They both have Mercruiser motors and drives, unless you Mom's boat is a turd go buy it. Maxum/Larson both are the mid way boats, and Maxum's are no longer made. Give Mom some puppy dog eyes and see if you can get it for 2.5K

 

[keith2k455]

That changes things. Mom's boat is a known, I'd take it over the unknown as well.

 

[SamuelP63]

No Title

Hi ya Samuel
Here is the post about your Mom's boat
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-mercruiser-left-me-in-the-middle-of-the-lake

Maxum for 4K and you need to install a new sei drive for 1.5K and maybe another .2K just because = 5.7K and you have a new drive
Larson for 6.3K and you don't know what else may happen, and old drive

They both have Mercruiser motors and drives, unless you Mom's boat is a turd go buy it. Maxum/Larson both are the mid way boats, and Maxum's are no longer made. Give Mom some puppy dog eyes and see if you can get it for 2.5K

There is a problem there. My mother will not let it go for less than 4k, period. Also, she is notorious for not maintaining anything. So the fact that it is my mothers is not necessarily a plus.

Here is the other boat. It's perfect.

I told the gentleman I'd get with him first thing with an answer.

 

[Stingray185GXi]

I would go with the Larson, a boat that has not been maintained can be a nightmare. There could be other issues with the engine, power steering, fuel system, lights, trailer, or even a rotted or waterlogged transom or stringers if it has ever been stored outside without a good cover. The larson appears to be in good condition and it seems like a better value since your Mom won't budge on the price of her Maxum.

 

[jkust]

Does the Maxum not have a rear pad? I don't quite get what's going on there. So then it would seem that you know that your mom's boat has been poorly maintained which is great to know the history good or bad. I'd cross her boat off the consideration list. Looks like that Larson even has snap in carpet which is a nice option to have given that is a lower end boat and given in the early 2000's some small bowrider manufacturers weren't even offering non-glued carpet quite yet as a standard item. I can't let it go without at least mentioning that the 4.3 offers 50% more horsepower a massive amount more torque and cost zero dollars more in the used market. You get the 4.3 for free. I hate to have people out on my boat as well but can not express to you how much the extra power of the 4.3 is appreciated. As for NADA...it is simply not accurate but that's not to say I wouldn't exploit it in a negotiation when/if NADA is lower than reality. Having just bought another boat for my fleet, I can say that any hesitation and you miss the good ones as they sell the same day they are put on the market but the learning curve to realize that took a couple weeks while I got the lay of the land as to what I wanted.

 

[JoLin]

I'd also lean toward the Larson with one caveat. You're operating in a price range that, IMO, absolutely supports having a professional survey and mechanical inspection done before purchase. Might cost you another $500. but it's money well spent. I'd also be looking for proof of maintenance (receipts) on the 'perfect' boat. I've been around the block a few times and wouldn't do it any other way. There're too many boats for sale to fall for a pretty face. Due diligence, due diligence... :joyous:

My .02

 

[JASinIL2006]

Also, given the age, the Larson for sure doesn't have wood stringers (don't know about the transom core). That doesn't eliminate the need for a careful look-over, but it does remove worry about below-decks rotting stringers and bulkheads.